#85 Research Authority
Peer-reviewed research curated for clinical relevance and evidence quality.
Recent research digest. 20 of 20 most recent studies from our monitored feeds.
The Need for Oversight of Unflavored Cannabis Drink Mixers.
Howard Caroline et al.
Pediatrics • 2026
Towards treatments targeting the gut to improve behavioural outcomes in autism spectrum disorder.
Munira Mst Shirajum et al.
Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996) • 2026
# Clinical Summary Research shows that gastrointestinal symptoms in autism are associated with increased irritability and difficult behaviors, suggesting that treating gut issues may help improve behavioral outcomes in autistic individuals. This approach could be particularly beneficial for autistic people who require significant support and currently experience behavioral challenges that interfere with their access to healthcare, education, and community services.
Medical Cannabis Use in Autism: Insights from an Israeli HMO on Patient Characteristics and Alignment with National Guidelines.
Sadeh Hadar et al.
Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology • 2026
# Clinical Summary This study examined medical cannabis prescribing patterns for autistic individuals in Israel and found that adherence to national guidelines requiring prior trials of two FDA-approved antipsychotics was inconsistent among prescribers. The research characterized the patient population receiving medical cannabis for autism-related behavioral disturbances to better understand real-world prescribing practices against established regulatory requirements.
UK Medical Cannabis Registry: A two-year case series of clinical outcomes in depression.
Lillywhite Elizabeth et al.
Journal of affective disorders • 2026
# Clinical Summary This UK registry study tracked depression symptoms in patients using medical cannabis over 24 months, measuring changes in questionnaire scores for depression and anxiety along with any side effects that occurred. The research aimed to provide clinical evidence on whether cannabis-based medicines might help reduce depression symptoms, filling a gap between laboratory research and real-world patient outcomes.
Substance and Behavioural Addictions Among Evacuees: Findings From Israeli Swords of Iron War.
Rubin Gabriella et al.
Stress and health : journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress • 2026
# Clinical Summary This study found that Israeli young adults evacuated during the Swords of Iron war showed increased rates of anxiety and depression, which were significantly associated with problematic use of alcohol, cannabis, prescription drugs, and behavioral addictions like gambling and gaming. War-related displacement emerged as a substantial risk factor for multiple substance and behavioral addiction problems in this population.
Neural reward sensitivity and longitudinal patterns of alcohol and cannabis use in college-aged youth.
Byrd Kathryn J et al.
Drug and alcohol dependence • 2026
# Clinical Summary This study investigated whether brain differences in how young people process rewards could predict future problems with alcohol and cannabis use. The research aimed to identify neurobiological risk factors that could help identify which college-aged youth are most likely to develop substance use disorders, potentially improving prevention and treatment strategies for this high-risk group.
The role of cumulative adverse childhood experiences in the interrelationships among addictive behaviors: A network analysis study.
Veneziani Giorgio et al.
Addictive behaviors • 2026
# Clinical Summary This study of 802 Italian adults found that experiencing multiple adverse childhood events significantly increases the risk of developing several types of addiction, including substance use, gaming, and overeating. Network analysis revealed that people with higher cumulative childhood trauma show stronger connections between different addictive behaviors, suggesting these conditions tend to cluster together in trauma-exposed individuals.
Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease as a Qualifying Condition for Medical Cannabis in the United States: A Brief Report on Current Trends.
Bonar Erin E et al.
The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry • 2026
Only half of the 38 U.S. states permitting medical cannabis include Alzheimer’s disease as a qualifying condition, and even fewer patients use it for this purpose. Medical cannabis certifications for Alzheimer’s disease appear to be decreasing in states where recreational cannabis has become legal.
Associations Between State Cannabis and Alcohol Policy Restrictiveness and College Students’ Cannabis Use, Binge Drinking and Co-Use.
Hummel Haley M et al.
Substance use & misuse • 2026
# Clinical Summary This study found that stricter state cannabis policies were associated with lower rates of cannabis use among college students, while the relationship between alcohol policy restrictiveness and binge drinking was more complex and varied. State-level substance policies appear to influence college students’ use patterns, suggesting that policy restrictiveness may play a meaningful role in shaping substance use behaviors on campuses.
Cannabis stigma and symptom management considerations in cancer survivors: a mixed-methods exploration of patient perspectives.
Levy Sera et al.
Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer • 2026
# Clinical Summary Cancer survivors who use cannabis report experiencing stigma related to their use, while those considering cannabis face barriers rooted in negative attitudes and social perceptions about the drug. The study identified that stigma represents a significant factor influencing cannabis adoption as a symptom management strategy among cancer survivors, suggesting that healthcare providers should address these concerns when discussing cannabis as a potential therapeutic option.
Oregon Adults’ Cannabis and Alcohol Use: Associations With Local Cannabis Retail Access, 2014-2022.
Kerr David C R et al.
American journal of preventive medicine • 2026
# Summary This study found that increased local cannabis retail access in Oregon was associated with higher rates of cannabis use among adults, with stronger effects in younger age groups. The research did not identify a clear relationship between cannabis retail access and alcohol use patterns, suggesting that cannabis and alcohol use may not substantially substitute for one another in response to local retail availability.
Age differences in endocannabinoid tone are ameliorated after recent cannabis use.
Morris Alan W J et al.
Scientific reports • 2026
# Clinical Summary Older adults showed lower baseline levels of endocannabinoids compared to younger and midlife adults, but cannabis use temporarily normalized these age-related deficits. This finding suggests that cannabis may help restore endocannabinoid system function in older adults, potentially offering therapeutic benefits for age-related conditions like chronic pain and cognitive decline.
Joint Association of Methamphetamine and Cannabis Use as Risk Factors for Asthma Exacerbations Requiring Hospitalization: A Retrospective Analysis.
Musa Amal M et al.
The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice • 2026
# Clinical Summary This study found that methamphetamine use, particularly when combined with cannabis, significantly increased the risk of asthma exacerbations severe enough to require hospitalization in adults. The research suggests that substance use screening should be incorporated into asthma management, as dual methamphetamine and cannabis use represents an especially high-risk factor for serious asthma attacks.
Management of cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome with an erector spinae plane block in the emergency department.
Gawel Richard J et al.
The American journal of emergency medicine • 2026
A patient with severe cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome who was not responding to standard nausea and pain medications experienced complete relief of symptoms after receiving a thoracic erector spinae plane block in the emergency department. This nerve block technique allowed the patient to be discharged home instead of requiring hospital admission, suggesting it may be a useful alternative for treating refractory cases of this condition.
L-Malic acid from Cissus gongylodes induces cannabinoid-mediated antinociception in mice.
Calazans Marla Oliveira et al.
Journal of ethnopharmacology • 2026
# Clinical Summary Researchers isolated L-malic acid from Cissus gongylodes, a South American plant traditionally used by indigenous tribes for pain relief, and found it reduced pain in mice through a cannabinoid receptor mechanism. This discovery suggests L-malic acid may have potential as a new pain-relieving medication for acute pain conditions.
Endocannabinoids, perioperative pain, and acetaminophen in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty: a prospective cohort study.
Clendenen Nathan et al.
Pain reports • 2026
# Clinical Summary This study investigated how knee replacement surgery and acetaminophen affect the endocannabinoid system (the body’s natural pain and inflammation control system) and whether changes in endocannabinoid levels predict pain relief after surgery. The research aimed to understand if acetaminophen works partly by activating the endocannabinoid system to reduce surgical pain and inflammation in patients undergoing total knee replacement.
Progressive endocannabinoid system dysregulation in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.
Betkar Shridhar et al.
Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) • 2026
Immunomodulatory effect of Cannabis root extract on inflammatory cascades via endocannabinoid system regulation.
Jin Hye-Lin et al.
BMC complementary medicine and therapies • 2026
Regular cannabinoid use and inflammatory biomarkers: Systematic review and hierarchical meta-analysis.
Belvederi Murri Martino et al.
Brain, behavior, and immunity • 2026
# Clinical Summary This systematic review and meta-analysis examined whether regular cannabis use affects inflammation markers in the body, finding inconsistent evidence across studies in both healthy people and those with psychiatric conditions. The research highlights that the relationship between cannabinoid use and inflammation remains unclear, with preclinical studies and human findings showing contradictory results that prevent definitive conclusions about whether cannabis increases, decreases, or has no effect on inflammatory biomarkers.
Unmasking hazardous compounds in cannabidiol-containing oils using planar bioassays and high-resolution mass spectrometry.
Haase Annika et al.
Talanta • 2026
# Clinical Summary Researchers tested 13 CBD oils and discovered they contain multiple hazardous compounds beyond cannabidiol, including substances with antimicrobial, estrogenic, androgenic, and cytotoxic effects. Using advanced testing methods, they identified both known and previously unknown harmful compounds in commercially available CBD products, raising safety concerns about unregulated cannabis oil supplements.
Digest generated March 19, 2026 at 10:19 PM